Thursday, December 31, 2015
Erica Rivera Contributes to Twin Cities Critics Tally
Erica Rivera shared her Top 10 Local Albums of 2015 for the annual Twin Cities Critics Tally. See all of the ballots and comments on the Star Tribune's website here.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Erica Rivera Profiles Kate Worum
You may know Minneapolis-based illustrator Kate Worum from her sassy portraits of pop-culture icons, or her abstract artwork for Live Current Volume 11, but hopefully what you'll remember from here on out about this bold 27-year-old artist are butts.
Worum, an MCAD grad, became fascinated with painting posteriors, using her boyfriend as a model. "Boobs are all over the market right now, but I don't see asses anywhere. Let's put some butts out there," she says. The butts, which include a wide variety of body types, have appeared on wall installations and as prints in her Etsy shop right alongside greeting cards that proclaim "Eat a bag of dicks" and a floral collage that spells "Fuck."
On her way to becoming an artist, she took a detour to Winona State to pursue soccer for two years. However, her schedule was filled with art classes. "I was in this snowed-in town and bored out of my mind," she says. "I needed more of a challenge." Despite the financial burden, she eventually returned to the Twin Cities and enrolled at MCAD where her brash, colorful aesthetic was born from "making a lot of horrible artwork."
Worum hit her stride after being introduced to digital technology. "You don't have to create this amazing illustration from start to finish," she says. It was more her style to scan in handmade elements and play with their limitless variations.
For her senior piece, she worked on a 40-portrait series while living in a shipping container for two weeks for Project M in Frankfurt, Germany. The subjects were other participants of Project M, where artists come together to share ideas and work on various projects."They had these insanely different personalities," she says. "I found myself overwhelmed by being exposed to so many different people at once." By painting one portrait a day, "I found this groove," she says. "I guess you find consistency when you repetitively force yourself to create."
Worum's more recent portraits — which have featured the likes of Iris Apfel, Caitlyn Jenner, and Hillary Clinton — are born of fascination. "If there's some person that's interesting, it's a fun outlet for me to try to capture a personality."
In the coming year, Worum, who works for Target's home goods design division, is eager to find more ways to collaborate in her freelance work. She'll also have a new series of affordable prints available at Parc Boutique. "That's really rewarding; being able to share something on a local level," she says. No buts about it.
Originally published in City Pages in December of 2015.
Erica Rivera Profiles Jenn Schaal
Erica Rivera spoke to Minneapolis comedian Jenn Schaal about re-prioritizing her health over her craft. Read more in the "Artists of the Year 2015" issue of City Pages or online here.
Erica Rivera Profiles Julie Schumacher
Erica Rivera interviewed Julie Schumacher, author of Dear Committee Members and the only woman to win The Thurber Prize for American Humor. Read the profile in the "Artists of the Year 2015" issue of City Pages or online here.
Erica Rivera Interviews Run Westy Run
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Photo by Dan Corrigan |
Erica Rivera spoke to Kraig Johnson, one of the three founding brothers of Run Westy Run, a beloved band on the Twin Cities post-punk scene in the '80s and '90s. Read the Q&A about the band's Christmas Day reunion show on City Pages here.
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Erica Rivera Interviews Gabe Noah
Erica Rivera spoke to comedian Gabe Noah about recording his first comedy album and impending parenthood. Read the Q&A for City Pages here.
Friday, December 18, 2015
Erica Rivera Ranks Favorite Albums of 2015
Erica Rivera shared her favorite worldwide and local albums of 2015 along with other City Pages writers. Find out what made her Top 5 in each category here.
Friday, December 11, 2015
Erica Rivera Previews Vikings Stadium Event Space
Erica Rivera spoke to Danielle Ottman, Sales Manager at US Bank Stadium, about how the new home of the Vikings will be used in the off-season. Read more in the Winter 2016 issue of MN Meetings + Events magazine or online here.
Monday, December 7, 2015
Erica Rivera Interviews Gary Gulman
Erica Rivera interviewed East Coast comic Gary Gulman about his upcoming shows in Minneapolis. Read more about the football-player-turned-funnyman on City Pages here.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Erica Rivera Interviews Liza Sylvestre
Erica Rivera interviewed Liza Sylvestre, a hard-of-hearing painter who got her start in Miami and whose exhibit Meridians opens this weekend at Public Functionary in Minneapolis. Read more on City Pages here.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Erica Rivera Previews Nutcracker (Not So) Suite
Erica Rivera interviewed James Sewell of James Sewell Ballet about joining forces with former Ballet of the Dolls artistic director Myron Johnson to revive the Nutcracker (Not So) Suite. Read more on City Pages here.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Erica Rivera Interviews Slow Magic
Erica Rivera spoke to Slow Magic, a mysterious, masked artist who makes deconstructionist house music. Read the Q&A on City Pages here.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Erica Rivera Previews "Labor Camp"
Erica Rivera spoke to Polish artist and MCAD professor Piotr Szyhalski about his new installment in the ongoing Labor Camp series. Read more on City Pages here.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Erica Rivera Interviews Paul Murray
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Photo by Cliona O'Flaherty |
Erica Rivera spoke to Paul Murray, author of Skippy Dies and The Mark and the Void. The Irishman discussed financial collapse, loneliness, and how novels help people. Read the Q&A on Mandatory here.
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Erica Rivera Previews "Don't Feed The Indians"
Erica Rivera spoke to Murielle Borst-Tarrant, writer and director of the theater production Don't Feed The Indians. The play was inspired, in part, by Native Americans' experiences of racism in the theater world. Read more on the City Pages arts blog here.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Erica Rivera Profiles Kevin Cannon
Erica Rivera profiled Kevin Cannon, a Twin Cities cartoonist and map-maker who drew one Minnesota bookstore per day for Inktober. Read more on City Pages here.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Erica Rivera Interviews Rick Moody
Erica Rivera interviewed acclaimed author Rick Moody about his new novel, Hotels of North America, his writing soundtrack, and what's behind that hat. Read the Q&A on Mandatory here.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Erica Rivera Profiles Prince Adetomiwa Gbadebo
Erica Rivera spoke to Nigerian painter Prince Adetomiwa Gbadebo about his first solo show in the Midwest. Read more on City Pages here.
Erica Rivera Interviews The Tenderloins
Erica Rivera interviewed Joe Gatto, one-fourth of comedy troupe The Tenderloins and co-star of truTV series Impractical Jokers. Read more on City Pages here.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Erica Rivera Profiles Aaron De La Cruz
Erica Rivera interviewed Aaron De La Cruz, a San Francisco-based painter bringing his monochromatic art to Public Functionary. Read more on the City Pages art blog here.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Erica Rivera Interviews Geoff Sobelle
Erica Rivera spoke to theater artist Geoff Sobelle about his new solo show "The Object Lesson." Read more on the City Pages arts blog here.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Erica Rivera Profiles Scotty Munster
Erica Rivera interviewed Minnesota tattoo artist Scotty Munster about his latest Halloween-themed art show. Read more on the City Pages arts blog here.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Erica Rivera Reviews "Hippie Modernism"
Erica Rivera got an early look at the Walker Art Center's "Hippie Modernism: The Struggle for Utopia" exhibition. Read her review on the City Pages arts blog here.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Erica Rivera Profiles The Wild Institute
Erica Rivera interviewed motivational speaker Chris Heeter, founder of The Wild Institute. Read more about how to bring all of who you are to all of what you do in the Fall 2015 issue of Minnesota Meetings + Events magazine or online here.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Erica Rivera Interviews Ezra Furman
Erica Rivera spoke to punk rocker Ezra Furman about artistic torment, dressing feminine, and reconciling his identity with the Jewish faith. Read the Q&A on City Pages here.
Monday, October 5, 2015
Erica Rivera Interviews Lianne La Havas
Erica Rivera spoke to British singer-songwriter Lianne La Havas about working with Prince, finding inspiration in Jamaica, and expressing herself through fashion. Read the Q&A on City Pages here.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Erica Rivera Interviews Jim Norton
Erica Rivera spoke to Jim Norton, a comedian, radio show host, New York Times bestselling author, and actor who has appeared on television shows such as Inside Amy Schumer and Louie. Talking points included how he pissed off Jesse Ventura, his experiences with prostitutes, and why he thinks he's a pervert. Read the Q&A on City Pages arts blog here.
Monday, September 21, 2015
Erica Rivera Previews Joe Sinness Show
Erica Rivera spoke to Minneapolis-based artist Joe Sinness about his upcoming show of colored pencil drawings at Macalester College. Read more on the City Pages arts blog here.
Erica Rivera Interviews Wavves
Erica Rivera spoke to Wavves, a surf punk band known for its predilection for drugs and drama. Read the Q&A on City Pages here.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Erica Rivera Interviews Hannibal Buress
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Photo by Constance Kostrevski |
Erica Rivera spoke to Hannibal Buress, a comedian from Chicago who rose to notoriety after speaking out against Bill Cosby. The feature is in this week's print issue of City Pages or read the full interview online here.
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Erica Rivera Profiles EmergeWORKS
Erica Rivera contributed to a cover story on how companies can find loyal employees by using alternative staffing agencies like EmergeWORKS in Northeast Minneapolis. Read the piece in the September 2015 issue of Minnesota Business magazine.
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Erica Rivera Interviews Lady Lamb
Erica Rivera spoke to Lady Lamb, an up-and-coming indie rock musician, about her unusual career path. Read more in City Pages here.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Erica Rivera Interviews Jerry Stahl
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Thursday, August 6, 2015
Erica Rivera Interviews Dosh
Erica Rivera was invited to electronic musician Dosh's home to observe him scoring Universe, a film featured in this year's Square Lake Festival. Read more in today's Star Tribune Variety section or online here.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Erica Rivera Interviews Miranda Sings
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Colleen Evans as Miranda Sings |
Erica Rivera spoke to Colleen Evans (née Ballinger), creator of YouTube celebrity Miranda Sings. Read how haters helped refine the quirky character in this Q&A for City Pages.
Monday, August 3, 2015
Erica Rivera Interviews "Rez Comedy" Documentarian
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Rob "The Rez Reporter" Fairbanks and Jon "The Ojibwe Outlaw" Roberts |
Erica Rivera spoke to Jon Roberts, whose documentary with fellow Ojibwe comic Rob Fairbanks was successfully funded in the final hours of its Kickstarter campaign. Read more on the City Pages blog.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Erica Rivera Profiles Lake City
Erica Rivera profiled Lake City, a Minnesotan town planning to capitalize on the beauty of Lake Pepin. Read more about the area and its attractions in the July 2015 issue of Minnesota Business magazine.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Erica Rivera Profiles Hop Law
Erica Rivera interviewed Elliot Ginsburg, an attorney specializing in breweries. Read more in the June 2015 issue of Minnesota Business magazine.
Friday, June 5, 2015
Erica Rivera Profiles Paul Krumrich
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Erica Rivera On Bicycle Decor
Erica Rivera interviewed several Minneapolis and St. Paul residents whose passion for cycling is on display in their homes. Read why bike-themed decor is on a roll in today's Star Tribune Home section or online here.
Monday, May 4, 2015
Erica Rivera Profiles Seven Sundays
Erica Rivera profiled muesli maker Seven Sundays for Minnesota Business magazine. Find out how the family-owned company got on Target's shelves with a little help from Anchor Bank in the May 2015 issue.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Erica Rivera Interviews Ali Wong
Originally published on Vita.mn in April 2015.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Erica Rivera Profiles Twin Cities Telecommuters
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Photo by Liz Gardner |
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Erica Rivera on the Creative Economy in Minnesota
Monday, March 9, 2015
Erica Rivera Profiles Sheba Productions
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Sheba Productions Welcomes Arianna Huffington to Minnesota |
Erica Rivera interviewed Darren Ennis, owner of Sheba Productions, for Minnesota Meetings + Events magazine. Read the profile in the Winter 2015 issue or online here.
Friday, March 6, 2015
Erica Rivera on Hotel Restaurants
Friday, February 27, 2015
Erica Rivera on How to be More Manly
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Erica Rivera Interviews Until the Ribbon Breaks
Originally published on Vita.mn in Feb. 2015.